Many doctors privately disagree with the American Medical Association's stance on "gender-affirming" care for minors, but fear professional repercussions for voicing their concerns, according to Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marty Makary. Dr. Makary, speaking on "Fox & Friends Weekend," highlighted the case of a Mayo Clinic doctor who was reportedly fired after questioning the fairness of transgender female athletes competing against biological females. This incident, he argues, creates a chilling effect within the medical community.
Dr. Makary questioned the existing research supporting these treatments, emphasizing the lack of studies on long-term outcomes and regret rates. He also raised concerns about the potential politicization of medical research, suggesting that studies are often conducted to support pre-determined conclusions rather than to objectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatments. He cited a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine on hormone therapy, which lacked a control group and reported two suicides among 300 participants, as an example of flawed research being touted as "evidence."
“Gender-affirming” care can encompass a range of interventions, from hormone blockers and cross-sex hormones to surgeries such as mastectomies, breast implants, and genital reconstruction. These procedures can begin in early childhood with hormone treatments and potentially progress to surgeries at age 18 or younger. Dr. Makary stressed the need for more rigorous research before such irreversible procedures are undertaken.
Co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy echoed Dr. Makary’s concerns, questioning the silence of many within the medical profession. Dr. Makary acknowledged the growing number of doctors who are beginning to speak out but emphasized the risks involved, citing the Mayo Clinic incident as a warning. He urged for more unbiased research to determine the true effectiveness and potential consequences of “gender-affirming” care.
The AMA's president, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, defended “gender-affirming” care, expressing concern about the legal ramifications of not providing such treatments in some states. He criticized those who question these practices, referring to them as "backseat drivers." This disagreement highlights the ongoing debate surrounding “gender-affirming” care for minors and the potential consequences for both doctors and patients.
